Si Dios Quiere

In these past two weeks I have come to realize exactly how well my Heavenly Father knows me.  Having accepted the idea of serving all of my mission in Tijuana, being transferred to Ensenada was the last thing that I expected.  I THOUGHT that Tijuana was better for me.  I THOUGHT that was what I wanted.  I THOUGHT that was where I was needed.  I THOUGHT I knew how the last 4 months of my mission would end. But then I arrived here to the Azteca ward.

As I mentioned in my last post, we are unofficially opening the area Azteca.  Starting from scratch.  The first week was rough, but as I mentioned last week, full of tiny milagros.  Second week, also rough, but the milagros continue.  That´s to be expected of course.  But what was not to be expected was how much this ward needs me, and how much I needed this ward.  

Now I´m not trying to claim that  I´m all that and a bag of chips, al contrario, I feel very inadequate as a missionary.  But I have realized in this area more than any other that the Lord really needs certain people at certain times in certain places.  

My companion needed me, someone who walks ridiculously fast (and if necessary, runs) across our gigantic area to get to our lessons on time.  Needed someone who has 14 months worth of ideas to find, teach, and animate.  The ward needed someone who knows the rules and isn´t afraid to tell them what they are.  Needed someone who could mas o menos sing, to help reactivate a brother who gives voice lessons for a living. Needed someone who was willing to eat absolutely anything to avoid offending the sisters.

I needed Azteca to start fresh.  I needed a challenge to get my blood running again.  I needed our members to give us support.  I needed to be here and they needed me too.  And Someone knew it the whole time.

I know you're not supposed to think too much about the numbers, and I´ve learned not to.  But I feel like sharing just 2 will help demonstrate my thoughts.  Last week we had just 2 investigators join us at church.  Yesterday we had 7, and all with a date to be baptized.

....si Dios quiere.

Open for Buisness

I'm suffering a culture shock. Ensenada is just so,.... nice.  Paved streets, stoplights, trimmed neighborhoods, toilets that work.  I don't know what to do with myself!  Not to mention that everything is as flat as an ironing board.  What happened to my lose-weight-quick hills?!

I guess I'll just adjust.

Hermana Miramontes

My first week out of Tijuana has been an interesting one.  I got here last Monday to find out that we didn't have a house to live in.  That was a delightful surprise.  Due to some security issues, the sisters in the transfer before me had to leave their old house and start looking for a new one.  So for the past month (and my first week here) they/we have been living in the house of a sister in our ward, Hna. Miramontes.  I swear, if my mom aged another 10 years and loosed a few screws in the cranium, she would be this lady.  Super kind, but rather crazy, so we get along great.  She has a daughter out in the mission as well so she is always curious to know how we are doing and what's the latest "gossip" of our investigators.  Anyways, that has been our housing situation for the past week, living out of our suitcases until they tell us when we will have our own house again..... which happened today.  Por fin they found us our very own little house and, with the help of the priesthood brethren, we moved everything in.  There is a lot of organization needed,.. and a boiler for a warm shower, but it's got the essentials.  Cold water wakes you up faster anyways.

Other fun fact about Azteca.  One transfer ago, my companion (Hna. Aviles) and her old companion were sent here to open the area.  But not only were they on a house hunt all of last transfer, but for the last three weeks the other sister was stuck in bed due to a fractured ankle.  So last Monday, the mission pulled her out and sent me in.  We are starting from zeros.  My comp barely knows the area and a few of the investigators and members who live close by.  It's been an adventure fo'sho'.  But although it has been a little stressful getting everything up and running, those of you who know me wouldn't be surprised to hear that I secretly like the challenge/responsibility.  It's been incredible to see the miracles that have happened in just this past week.  Our footsteps have literally been guided by the Lord.  Of that I have no doubt.  There is no other way that we could be randomly walking down streets, not quite sure we were and with no secure plans for several hours, and find lost sheep in our path.  It's going to be a lot of hard work, but if I'm meant to stay here for the last 4 months of my mission, I'm making those months count.

Azteca is about to get a face-lift.

Never say Never

La verdad, no se que debo escribir.  No puedo piensar bien o entender mis propios sentimientos.  This whole past week has been a crazy roller coaster of emotions, of which I don't have enough time to explain, but I'll do my best to give the highlights of everything.

First things first, I LEFT TIJUANA!!!!!!!  No puedo creerlo todavia.  14 months in this beautiful, colorful, mountainous, cultural, cholo-filled city.  Sure, at the beginning of my mission I wanted to leave, visit other cities and what-not, but now I've learned to love it.  It's all I know.  How the people are, transportation, personality, and even the never ending hills.  That's what I've come to know as my mission.  I was born there, served there, had a child there, suffered there, grew there, and was ready to die there. Mission Mexico TIJUANA...literally.

How can I leave?  Honestly, I'm still in shock.  But it's all good in the hood.  Actually, I find it quite fitting.  All of ano 2014 I served in Tijuana.  Now that a new year has begun, why not a new faze in the mission?  Just need a couple of deep breaths and.....

....wish me luck.

La Segunda Navidad

The whole month of December has been filled with road trips and concerts.  Just like for Easter, the mission got together another group of missionaries to form a Christmas choir.  3 Sisters and 4 Elders.  All of October and November we met together to practice and arrange the Hymns we would sing.  Some turned out better than others, but considering that we're a bunch of 20, 21 year old misfits, I think it turned out okay.  We had 5 concerts in total.  3 in different Stakes in Tijuana, 1 in Rosarito, and another in Mexicali.  If it wasn't for these concerts, I don't think I would ever step outside of Tijuana.

Christmas Missionary Choir.

Quick story about the concert in Mexicali.  There wasn't enough time to return to Tijuana that night so we had to stay the night with the missionaries who serve there and attend their services the next day.  Let me tell ya, there are a couple loose screws in that Ward.  It was fast and testimony meeting and the Spirit was strong... but then, with a smile like he had a secret,, a young adult stood up at the pulpit.

"Primeramente quiero decirles que hoy....es mi cumpleanos.  Muchas gracias.  Hoy cuplo 26 anos.  Tambien acaban de intregerme nueve informacion de (insert names of a young couple in the Ward here.)  Todos sabemos que son novios, pero mas que eso estan enamorados.  Uno de la otra.  Lo que no sepan es que en el ano 2015, ella no sera a novia de el.....va ser la mia!"  Followed by a quick testimony that these things are true and a reminder of when the church Christmas activity is.  All of the choir missionaries were cracking up!  But it didn't end there.  Next we went to Gospel Principles, where the Sister Missionaries were teaching about the Millennium.  At the end they asked if anyone had questions or comments and one member raised her hand.  She shared a story about when she was a missionary 23 years ago and saw strange lights in the sky at night.  Long story short, she has a strong testimony that there is no reason to fear the sights of  Aliens.  They are just other children of God, our fellow brothers and sisters on the other planets checking up on our progression to the Millennium.  I'm just glad I didn't have investigators in that class.

Other fun facts about the concerts.  In Rosarito there is a popular restaurant known for it's GIANT burritos.  We stopped by after the concert for dinner.  Folks, I pride myself on never having left food on the plate during the mission, but I couldn't even finish HALF of a burrito, they are huge, but oh so good.

the rosarito burros!!!

The concerts in Tijuana were nice.  I was able to return to old stakes where I served and see old companions and members.  One time, after taking us out to eat after one of the concerts, and due to a suggestion by Presidente  Garcia, the restaurant's Santa Claus asked us to sing a song for him.  So smack-dab in the middle of Sterloin Stolkhom, with what felt like millions of iPhones recording us, we sang "Carol of the Bells" for Santa.  Check that off of my bucket list.

But the best part of it all was the Spirit that could be felt.  Whether with a big crowd or small, sound system or not, cracking voices or clunky keyboards, the Spirit was there.  Music has a beautiful way of speaking to the souls and hearts of mankind in a way that words cannot compete.  Which is why I usually prefer to sing than give talks.

As a Thank You/Christmas present to all those who participated in the choir, the President took us to the San Diego temple.  The timing was perfect.  For several months I had been thinking a lot about, and craving to go to the Temple.  Taste of that reassuring peace once more.  And so the 20th of December we went, crossed the line, and my feet touched U.S. soil otra vez.

Me with Marlen and Diana and their Xmas presents from the temple

There's not much to be said about the Temple that I haven't said before.  It's absolutely breathtaking and was the perfect remedy to recharge my battery after 13 months of hard work, physically and spiritually.  As a side note, my percentage of understanding the language has dramatically increased since my last Spanish session in April.  And as a second side note, before crossing the border to Mexico again we made a quick stop at Deseret Book where I happened to see (but not read) 2 sequels to series by Gerald N. Lund and Chris Heimerdinger. *cough* hint, hint * cough* of which I will be expecting when I get home.

Tijuana is a strange place to be for the holidays.  It is so close to the border that the people know about every holiday, American and Mexican, but hardly do anything to celebrate.  An excuse to eat, drink, and be merry, but as for traditions, there aren't anything.  A couple people put up lights and a tree, and the only places where you can find Christmas music are grocery stores.  Every other house is blasting Bonda from their windows or car radios.  The only common sight you can find are 10 year old boys playing with tiny firecrackers in the street.

The more I think about it, the more fitting I find the situation.  As I mentioned before, all of December the mission has been focused on the "El es la Dodiva" initiative.  Showing with all the true meaning of Christmas.  A message of peace in a world filled with stress, competition, criticism, and worries.  A message that Christ came.  That He taught, healed, counseled and saved.  That He does so today.  When He came there were no neon lights, just the stars in the heaven.  No shinny wrapping paper, but swaddling clothing.  No tree, candy, Santa, stockings by the fire, or Christmas feast.  Just a choir of angels singing hosanna to a few lowly shepherds....not even a Micheal Buble Christmas Album.

Last Christmas I didn't have much time to analyze the situation.  With barely a week in Mexico I was a little more focused on learning the language and Preach My Gospel Lessons.  This year however, as I write, my mind has been reflexcionando.  As a missionary, I don't have a tree, stocking, Michael Buble, or anything close to a Snowman.  There is nothing to do but focus on the real meaning of Christmas.  It was a gift of love.  Pure and eternal.  And it costed a lot.  Del parte del Padre y del Hijo.  The least we can do is be grateful and accept it.  Always remember Him and show our gratitude and love by keeping the commandments.  The feast really isn't necessary and as I've tried to tell my Mom time and time again, nobody even likes the "Frog-eyed Salad" anyway.

Christmas Eve!

Even though it's my second Christmas in the mission, I'm sure it's the most realistic that I'll ever have.  I've felt frustrated, like Joseph at the Inn.  Sore feet, like the donkey caring Mary.  And lots of self evaluating, heartfelt pondering as I'm sure Mary did all the way to Bethlehem.  But hope is always there.  The hope of all the world came, and for that we have a season to rejoice, and share the good news with all the world No matter what comes our way, let us carry this hope in our hearts, and let us all press on.

Feliz Navidad Everyone!

Time to talk about companion number 7.

• 23 anos
• Her family learned about the gospel when she was 1 year old
• From the Dominican Republic
• First companion who is taller than me... by a centimeter..
• LOVES bread.  She'll stick three slices with cheese in between in the microwave, then cover it in mayonnaise and cream.... that's what she considers breakfast.
• Just completed 4 months in the mission
• Is studying architecture
• Has a bad habit of popping her knuckles
• If I had to describe her personality with one phrase it would be, "A sassy black girl who speaks Spanish"

Our house is freezing!!!

Bundled up for some companionship study time.

Christmas Day Nail!

Hna. Jimenez and I now have a month working together and I've really enjoyed it.  Even though she had just barely finished her training when we became companions she is chalk full of animo and ideas.  Not gonna lie, sometimes we but heads with our different ideas, but we both want whats best for the area, so it always turns out alright.  Shes a good counterpart for me.  I tend to get a little impatient and want to GO! GO! GO! WORK! WORK! WORK! if a bus doesn't show up on time, fine! We'll just start walking!  but she reminds me to take a step back and rationally think things over.  As a team we've seen little miracles and that's what keeps us going, reminds us why we are here.

As for unforgettable experiences together:

Once upon a time, in a testimony meeting (I'm sure you know where this is going).  The priesthood was passing the sacrament, everyone was silent...with the exception of a few baby cries, when a cellphone began to ring.  Quickly, the phone stopped ringing and everyone supposed that the owner turned it off.  Think again!  In the middle of the silent chapel, thoughts turned to the Atonement of the Savior were interrupted with a booming voice, "Bueno?  Estoy en la iglesia.  Hableme en una hora."

Missionaries turned to look at one another.  Several in astonishment, others trying to keep the laughs from bursting out.  In the end, all keeping silent..... just waiting for the services to end and explain things to investigators.

Only in Mexico...

Here's a little advertising for you.

In case your local stake presidents, bishops, or missionaries haven't announced it yet in your areas, the church has started a "Christmas Initiative" this month of December.  It's called "He is the Gift".

The church has gone crazy in publicating this initiative.  They've bought Facebook, YouTube, billboards in Time Square, and a bunch of other media sites so that everyone can hear about and watch this 2 minute video.  As missionaries, we are running all over town making sure everyone gets to hear about the video.  Why?  Because its got some serious spiritual power.  I have no doubt that there will be people who will randomly come across the video and have a desire to learn more about the church because of it.  We have found new people to teach just this past week because of it.

Okay, so now I'm asking you, if you haven't already been doing it, to start sharing the news as well.  Its easy.  Just hand out the pass a long cards.  The missionaries have bucketloads of them.

I promise you will see the blessings

www.christmas.mormon.org

or if you'd like the spanish version:

www.navidad.mormon.org

Ninas Pequenitas

One lunes, exactly 5 weeks ago, I mentioned a lovely family that we found and began teaching.  La familia Paz Gomez.  For the past month this family has been my pride and joy as well as my tears and sorrows.  One Sunday night, dark and chilly, Hna. Cabrera and I were walking around with our Ward Mission Leader.  Our appointment wasn't home so we went to plan B.... who wasn't home either.  However, the son of our investigator, cigarette in hand and mumbling into his scarf, kindly helped us schedule another appointment to stop by.  After which, our mission leader asked him for a reference of anybody that could benefit from our message or that has had problems recently in their life or family.  We pulled out of him the name of Miguel, his neighbor. With a Muchas gracias, que tenga bonita noche, we moved over to Miguel's house.  It was dark, the lights were out, and seemed like nobody was home, but with a voice like thunder Hno. Chava (the ward mission leader) yelled out for Miguel.  A window opened, a head peeked through, a voice called out  'Hay voy!'   And we waited.  In 2 minutes Miguel came down, we contacted,  and put an appointment for the next day.

Little did I know how much I would come to love this little family.  We haven't been able to baptize Miguel and his 'wife' yet because they aren't married, but their two angel daughters si!  Pray for this family with all you got por favor!

Marlen y Diana and their little sister Joseline.... she wanted to be in a white dress too.